Any good news to be grateful about?
I’ve recently grown weary of blogging bad news as it’s making me feel gloomy, but try finding good religious news to blog about, I haven’t managed it today.
I’ve been going through one of those “Woe is me” phases, “Poor me, look what I don’t have, look how bad I have it.”
Did you know that if your income is £16,000 per year, you are the richest 10% of the world? In fact, if you earn £1,500 per year you are the richest 15% of the world.
I have a roof over my head and enough food to be able to throw the excess away.
I’m not persecuted for my faith and my family are all in good health.
And what has been my response to such blessing and grace recently? To bitch, whinge and moan at my perceived lack and hardship.
God calls us to be thankful, but am I most of the time? No. I take for granted the blessings I’ve received from God.
Anyway, I’m endeavouring to count my blessings and to cultivate the attitude of gratitude.
Do you have any good news to share with us?
Tags: Christian Life
November 26th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
1. I was ill over the weekend; really ill on Monday (slept for 14 hours) but am fully recovered now.
2. There is no snow in Edinburgh (possibly a genuine miracle).
3. next week is my last week in my current job so I am eating doughnuts due to amount of new work drying up.
4. Double clubcard points have been announced at Costa.
November 26th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I’ve just come back from a funeral so don’t feel too joyful myself just at the mo, but I am sorry to hear you sounding sad, webmaster. Even the chirpiest among us have these feelings from time to time, but nil desperandum, try to refrain from reading Ekklesia and other faith-sapping websites, and thank God that you are soon to enter a church with a positive and cohesive rationale on marriage and the family. Plenty of good news there.
Or perhaps you just need a rest.
November 26th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Try to refrain from reading Ekklesia
Now that did make me laugh.
I’m having the “rite of welcome” this Sunday, so looking forward to that….
November 26th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
@Gordon,
2. There is no snow in Edinburgh (possibly a genuine miracle).
Spoke too soon the snow is falling in this part of Edinburgh.
@webmaster,
“Did you know that if your income is £16,000 per year, you are the richest 10% of the world? In fact, if you earn £1,500 per year you are the richest 15% of the world.”
Surely this depends on the purchasing power e.g. JSA of sixty odd pounds a week could have the same or less purchasing power than the equivalent purchasing power of a dollar a day in some Third World economies.
November 26th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Surely this depends on the purchasing power e.g. JSA of sixty odd pounds a week could have the same or less purchasing power than the equivalent purchasing power of a dollar a day in some Third World economies.
Of course you’re right with this, but just trying to get the point across that we are still better off than most in a relative sense.
November 26th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
The first person I heard make this very same relative argument was Thatcher in the eighties at the time most journalists and political commentators did not know how the relative argument worked, at that time and to this day I still argue she was no conservative but a proponent of cultural relativism.
November 26th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Again you’re dead right Goy, but the relative poverty position is easier for the richer to understand, than the absolutle poverty position, of which they have no experience and empathy at all.
November 27th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Lots, though just personal stuff. This week I was approved for spinal surgery. It may seem strange to be thrilled about an operation, but I’ve been on the maximum dose of two pain killers for a couple of years now and I just can’t wait! It sounds like a whole new life, full of freedom… Dancing, riding – even just long, long walks. Hurray!
My kids are lovely: such good company, such kind boys. My younger son’s health is a nightmare, but it’s a constant source of joy and a certain amount of surprise that we’re so close. So many families are riven by strife, particularly during the teenage years. My older son was 18 two weeks ago, and it was wonderful to reflect how proud his father would have been of the young man he’s become.
In the past couple of months I’ve had a lot more work. I run a small design company from a posh bespoke shed at the bottom of my garden. As I have to work from home the success of the company is pretty important to us. It’s supported us for a decade, and looks as though it’ll survive – at least for the moment.
November 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Several years ago I was stranded at English Harbour on Antigua while my boat had some essential repairs. Not a bad place to break down I hear you say. I’d agree. It was a beautiful haven and a very pleasant few days!
But my lasting memory is of the Rastafarian ferryman, who took crews across the harbour and to their yachts moored further down the harbour.
This guy lived in a shelter made of cardboard and plastic sheets, and all his Worldly goods were contained in a beat up old truck alongside.
And yet I swear he was one of the wisest and most content people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He could talk knowledgeably on a huge range of topics, and could remember the names of just about everyone who he took in his ferry (actually it was an old dinghy with an asthmatic outboard). When I asked him why he chose to do this he said that it gave him time to contemplate, and with the few dollars he made with the ferry he had everything he needed.
I think his secret was acceptance of things as they were, rather than longing for something impossible, as so many of us do.
November 27th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Yes Simian, contentment, the secret of all.
Part of my own journey was via a wonderful Rastafarian, they have such a unique view on life, it tends to a powerful impact on our lives…..
November 29th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Do allow something for the fact that it is dark and cold outside and everyone is feeling at least partly jet-lagged because of the change of hour and the sudden shortness of the days that follows. I remember H.V.Morton in his “Traveller in Italy” remarking on how a couple of days of rain makes all the Italians depressed!
The next four weeks are the worst part of the year for this. Some people even get that SAD thing. Once the days start getting longer, everything is better. Time to think about booking a holiday to somewhere sunny! I used to go to Egypt in the week before Christmas for just this reason.
Mind you, you’re right about blogging only bad news. No-one can do that and NOT get fed up! As you say, we all have much to be thankful for.
And of course we would all have more to be thankful for, if it wasn’t for . Oops.